It's all about how the divine light filters down into our world.

The passage we're looking at focuses on Ze’er Anpin and Nukba, two central figures in Kabbalistic cosmology. Think of them, in a simplified way, as representing the masculine and feminine principles within the divine realm. And our guide? The Introduction to Sulam Commentary.

So, what's going on? Well, initially, only certain "vessels" remain in Ze’er Anpin – specifically, those associated with Ḥokhma (wisdom), Bina (understanding), Da’at (knowledge), Ḥesed (loving-kindness), Gevura (strength/judgment), and Tiferet (beauty/harmony). These vessels remain "until the point of the chest." What does that even mean?

The text explains that this "point of the chest" is where Malkhut lies after the second constriction. Malkhut, in Kabbalah, is often associated with the physical world, our reality. It’s the final emanation, the vessel that receives and manifests all the divine light that comes before it. This Malkhut terminates the level, marking a boundary.

But here's the kicker: this terminating Malkhut has ascended, due to the second constriction, to the point of the chest – to the place of Tiferet/Bina. It’s as if the receiver is reaching back up towards the source. And when it does, it brings down Bina, Tiferet, and Malkhut (also referred to as TNHY, which stands for Tiferet, Netzaḥ, Hod, and Yesod – more sefirot!). These are brought down to the level below. This movement, this dynamic interplay, is crucial.

The text concludes by revealing a mystical explanation for why Ze’er Anpin and Nukba, in their "immature" phase, are often called “Va”k and a point.” Va”k, or Vav Ketzavot (six extremities), refers to those six vessels we mentioned earlier: Ḥokhma, Bina, Da’at, Ḥesed, Gevura, and Tiferet. The "point" is the terminating Malkhut. From the perspective of the lights—where the small ones grow first—they are called Ḥesed, Gevura, Tiferet, Netzaḥ, Hod, and Yesod, and the terminating Malkhut is called the “point under the Yesod.”

So, what's the takeaway? This passage from the Sulam Commentary gives us a glimpse into the complex dance of divine energies, a constant process of constriction and emanation. It reminds us that even in the apparent limitations of our physical world (Malkhut), there's a striving, an inherent pull, towards the divine source. It's a reminder that even in the smallest point, there's a connection to the infinite.